Did we miss one?

Every good dive bar should have an attitude and smell remotely like stale booze. Degrees of darkness and dinginess can vary. San Diego comes up short in many categories, but not this one. I’ll have to go with the Cherry Bomb (2237 First Ave., Bankers Hill. 619-544-1173). I’ve seen grown men ask for “a little more coke” upon receiving their ‘Jack-n-Coke’ cocktail at this fine establishment. And I was once served a shot of Fernet about the size of my own head. — Sara Hanson, fine wine specialist and blogger (thesarkuswineblog.com)

The Waterfront. There’s popcorn strewn everywhere, and the pictures on the walls are cock-eyed. But the beers are cold, the fries are greasy, the tables are crowded and noisy, and the walls, floors, and bar groan with history. That’s what makes it San Diego’s beloved dive bar. — Susan Russo, cookbook author, blogger (foodblogga.blogspot.com)

If you’re served thin drinks in thick glasses at a piano bar, are never more than five feet from a slab of roast beef at any given time, and if you’re surrounded by walls with framed paintings of topless women with 70’s hairdos — you’re in a dive bar. Actually, you’re in San Diego’s best dive bar, Albie’s Beef Inn (1201 Hotel Circle. Mission Valley. 619-291-1103; albiesbeefinn.com). Albie’s holiday bonus: Silver-haired ladies decked out in red-and-green sequined teddy-bear sweaters. — Charles Kaufman, baker, owner of Bread & Cie Café

Dive bar……where everybody knows your name…doot do dooo… and they’re always glad you came… Don’t think so, dive bars are dirty, lights are low, drinks are cheap. The place still smells of stale cigarette smoke, and the patrons are there only to eliminate sobriety. Haven’t been to a dive bar in a while, but I’d recommend the Lamplighter on Washington St. for a little drunken karaoke or a 9 a.m. vodka soda. Or Gilly’s on El Cajon Blvd. for a mean game of pool and a good old-fashioned street fight. — Ricardo Heredia, executive chef at Alchemy Restaurant

My fave dive bar is probably just a bit too clean and has far-too-enlightened of a craft-beer list to match most peoples’ definition of a “dive bar,” but in name alone it qualifies. It’s The High Dive (1801 Morena Blvd., Bay Park. 619-275-0460; highdiveinc.com). There’s kitsch in abundance (old-timey lunchboxes, way too much miscellaneous signage, and a ceiling studded with used tap handles). But I come for the consumables. I love their Spicy Reed Burger and washing one down with great local craft beer (the bar is the number one Ballast Point Brewing account in town). — Brandon Hernández, food writer (Twitter @offdutyfoodie)

Nunu’s (3537 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest): Packed to the hilt with people of like mind and practice, cheap ‘n STRONG drinks, plenty of tall stories, burgers, smoking patio. Such a good time to be had here that the next day you’ll say, “What little I remember I will never forget.” Collectively isn’t this THE definition of a dive bar? — Andrew Spurgin, chef/partner Campine – A Culinary + Cocktail Conspiracy

Bar Pink: North Park has my heart, and the Pink Elephant is where I tuck into. There are neon elephant signs & bubbles painted on the walls. I especially love the floating bubbles around the bar. The cocktails are delicious and powerful, and the prices are “just nice”!

The Ould Sod: Guinness, single-malt whisky and live tunes at this Normal Heights pub.

The Shack, La Jolla - though not quite “dive-y” is a fun, neighborhood bar. Guinness, Jameson, football and Rayray’s tater tots and stuffed potato skins. Very satisfying! — Tina Luu, pastry chef, food lecturer at the Art Institute of California San Diego

San Diego dive bars are as diverse as our amazing local population, but there is one for everyone and it’s really a very personal decision. I found my favorite spot at Nunu’s Cocktail Lounge on Fifth Avenue. There is nothing like settling into one of their awesome booths, grabbing a reasonably priced cocktail from their friendly bartenders and watching the steady flow of interesting people come and go. It’s a great little place we’ve all driven by, next time stop in. — David Salisbury, a law firm’s director of business development, avid diner

So many great ones... Some favorites: Alibi is pretty great (green beans in cheap beer, and pool sharks = dive bar cred). Albie’s Beef Inn is another one, but I suppose it isn’t really a dive — a little too classy/clean. For the ultimate experience, The Tower Bar is champ. Rough hood, stiff drinks, cheap beer, ornery bartenders, metal and punk bands... duh. — Anthony Schmidt, bartender at Noble Experiment

A dive bar first has to be of a certain vintage, something on the order of 50 years old, and it has to be nearly the same as it has always been, inside and out. It must have a regular, loyal clientele of hardcore drinkers, served by a staff who knows each by name and their “usual.” And, it must, on first blush, be somewhat intimidating, even unwelcoming, to the passer-by. Thus, some local dive bars, deserving of the name, include Nunu’s on Fifth Ave., the Silver Spigot on Morena, Pal Joey’s on Waring Rd. in Del Cerro, the Night Owl on Grand, the Ken Club on Adams, the Catalina Lounge on Voltaire, the Pennant on Mission and and the Lamplighter on Washington St. Each has its “charm,” regular bar flies, and slightly intimidating visage. But, the greatest, the granddaddy of them all, and one of the world’s preeminent dive bars is The Waterfront on Kettner. For its history, gritty charm, and wildly loyal drinkers, attended to by a hands-on owner, Nancy Nichols, and her first name basis staff, no other establishment comes close. — Gary W. Schons, state prosecutor, avid diner

When I think of “dive bar” Nunu’s Cocktail Lounge comes to mind. Late night drinks and dancing so many years ago. — Randee Stratton, real estate broker, avid diner

Back when I was moving to Little Italy, lo these many years ago, the Waterfront was still a real dive. Only the locals knew there was no table service in the evening, and they delighted in watching newbies sit ignored at tables until they slunk away or until the light bulb popped on over their heads and they realized you had to fight your way to the bar for a drink. The food was good, the floors were sticky, the bathrooms were sketchy. Now there’s a fancy big screen with specials and marketing messages flashing, the menu is all designed-up and there are Ducatis amongst the Harleys out front. Only the beers on the bar with breakfast at 6 am still qualify it as a dive, but it’s still a favorite for fish and chips, posole on Sunday, and strong drinks anytime. — Catt White, farmers market manager (Twitter @LIMercato)

I’m sure a lot of folks would agree Star Bar (423 E St. Gaslamp. (619) 234-5575) would rank high in their book. I haven’t been there in ages, but the bartenders they had there when I went were all super cool. I wonder if the prices of each drink are still written with a Sharpie pen right on the bottle. They were the cheapest, stiffest drinks within that two block radius…oh those were the days! — Joanne Arellano, human resources professional, avid Yelper, avid diner

I am not a frequenter of bars these days. My go-to dive bar back in my college days was Live Wire. I have not been there in years but have no doubt that it is as good as it was then. They had the BEST jukebox in San Diego and win that award in various reader polls. This place was so great because there was never attitude of pretentiousness from anybody in the place. You could always find someone to talk with if you were alone and they always had a great selection on tap! — Dave Morgan, CPA, avid diner

Correction: This story originally said the Waterfront had carpeting.

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